Republic of Ireland Under-21s manager Jim Crawford has called-up Accrington Stanley’s Ryan Cassidy for the European qualifiers against Iceland and Luxembourg. 

Cassidy comes into the squad for Celtic’s Jonathan Afolabi (currently on loan at Dundee) who has been ruled out of both games due to injury.

Cassidy was part of Crawford’s training camp in Belfast in August but it's the first time the Watford forward has been included in the Under-21 squad.

Ireland are second in Group 1 heading into the two remaining games and are one of four teams still in the running to top the group.

Republic of Ireland Under-21 Squad

Goalkeepers: Gavin Bazunu (Rochdale, on loan from Manchester City), Ed McGinty (Sligo Rovers)

Defenders: Nathan Collins (Stoke City), Darragh Leahy (Dundalk), Conor Masterson (Queens Park Rangers), Mark McGuinness (Ipswich Town, on loan from Arsenal), Danny McNamara (St Johnstone, on loan from Millwall), Lee O’Connor (Tranmere Rovers, on loan from Celtic), Thomas O’Connor (Gillingham, on loan from Southampton), Liam Scales (Shamrock Rovers)

Midfielders: Conor Coventry (West Ham United), Luca Connell (Celtic), Will Ferry (Southampton), Jason Knight (Derby County), Danny Mandroiu (Bohemians), Connor Ronan (Grasshopper Zurich, on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers), Anthony Scully (Lincoln City), Jack Taylor (Peterborough United)

Forwards: Ryan Cassidy (Accrington Stanley, on loan from Watford), Zack Elbouzedi (Lincoln City), Danny Grant (Bohemians), Joshua Kayode (Carlisle United, on loan from Rotherham United), Michael Obafemi (Southampton), Troy Parrott (Millwall, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur)

UEFA Under-21 European Championship Qualifier - Group 1
15/11 - Republic of Ireland v Iceland, Tallaght Stadium, 12.30pm
18/11 - Luxembourg v Republic of Ireland, Beggen, 4.30pm